Menstrual Disorders

What is abnormal uterine bleeding?

The length of the normal menstrual cycle varies from 21 days to 35 days. When bleeding occurs more frequently than every 21 days or cycles last longer than 35 days the cycle is considered abnormal. Any vaginal bleeding that lasts more than 7 days or is excessively heavy is also abnormal. Abnormal bleeding may be a sign of an underlying problem, or it may just be evidence that the body is not completely mature yet (adolescents) or that the body is nearing menopause. The only way to know the cause is to consult a physician.

Anovulation or failure of the body to release an egg is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Normally an egg comes out of the ovary every month. When the body’s hormones are not just perfect to stimulate the egg to mature and come out of the ovary, abnormal bleeding often occurs. This anovulation can cause an early menstrual period, a late menstrual period, a light period or a heavy period. Anovulation is usually a sign of something else going on in the body and is very common in adolescents and older women. One anovulatory cycle, therefore one menstrual period that is a little irregular, is not worrisome, but if bleeding is extremely heavy, occurs less than 21 days from the previous cycle, lasts longer than 7 days or no bleeding comes for more than 3 months, a thorough evaluation is needed.

Some women have frequent problems with anovulation. Prolonged anovulation can place a woman at risk for pre-cancer and cancer of the uterus. In that situation, hormones may be needed to restore normal menses and/or protect the uterus from cancer.

Amenorrhea occurs when a woman does not get her period by age 16, or when she stops getting her period for at least three cycles and is not pregnant.

Amenorrhea is not a disease. Instead, it is a symptom of another condition. Possible causes can include excessive exercising, eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa), physical or psychological stress, tumors, and hormonal problems. Women with an endocrine disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may also experience amenorrhea.

It is important to see a physician to determine the cause of amenorrhea. Treatment for amenorrhea depends on the underlying cause. Sometimes lifestyle changes can help if weight, stress, or extreme physical activity is causing the amenorrhea. Other times, medications such as oral contraceptives are needed to correct the problem.

Oligomenorrhea refers to infrequent menstrual periods, or having a period only now and then. Like amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea is not a disease itself, but is a symptom of a larger condition. For example, many women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have oligomenorrhea. Oligomenorrhea can be normal in an adolescent or a woman nearing menopause.

Abnormal uterine bleeding such as extremely heavy bleeding or bleeding between menstrual periods can also be caused by anatomical abnormalities or hormonal abnormalities.

Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomatas, are very common, non-cancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. Sometimesfibroids cause heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between menstrual periods. Medications can offer relief from many of the symptoms of fibroids.. There are also several types of surgeries that can remove the fibroids. Endometrial (uterine) polyps are another common cause of abnormal uterine bleeding and can be removed with a simple surgical procedure.

Uterine cancer or pre-cancer (sometimes called hyperplasia) is the most worrisome cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Most cancer of the uterus is caught in the very early, treatable stages because it causes abnormal vaginal bleeding. The risk of cancer and pre-cancer increases with age. Cancer is more common after menopause. A simple office procedure called an endometrial biopsy can check to see if cancer or pre-cancer exists in the uterus.

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MeetTheTeamMonday: Meet Tiare! Tiare has been our Third Party IVF Coordinator for nearly 2 years. What she loves most about her job is building long standing relationships with patients. Additionally, she enjoys the unique aspect of third party resources as FIH is able to provide not only donor egg services, but also donor sperm, donor embryo and surrogacy options. With such a wide range of traditional IVF alternatives, she finds the third party program to be incredibly rewarding to work in as she is able to educate patients on treatment options they would have initially not been aware of.

Aside from patient care, Tiare likes to dance, cook and spend time with her family and dog named Mochi. She will also be running for the title of Miss Hawai'i USA 2019 in November of this year. We are so happy to have Tiare a part of the FIH team and we wish her the best of luck during the Miss Hawai'i finals! ... See MoreSee Less